Creating a skin for vBulletin

[SOM]

If I want to create a skin for vBulletin what size .PSD file should I be creating? For example 720x480 etc? Does it take multiple .PSD files to create the skin or is it one .PSD file that is manipulated to create the skin? How do I create customized buttons within my skin? Is it once again a .PSD file? Can you tell I am new?:)

Thanks in advance!!!

Jeff

[unenergizer]

Hi Jeff,

Your document size isn't exactly important. vBulletin does not interpret the .psd extension. When an artist/coder designs a layout in Photoshop, the layout is imaged sliced and coded to "wrap" around the forum. vBulletin does not do this automatically, all of this work is completely manual.

What you can do, is design your template in photoshop and read some slicing and coding tutorials. Then once you have sliced your images, make a plain html mockup of your layout. Afterwards edit the css and templates in your admincp reflecting your html mockup.

To code a template you need to be familar with:
CSS (cascading style sheet)
HTML (hypertext markup language)

To learn to slice a photoshop layout you can visit http://www.good-tutorials.com/ or http://www.pixel2life.com/ for tutorials.

I hope this has helped you.

[SOM]

I am not familiar with any of it. UGH!!!

[G.X.Tournaments]

I was thinking the same way you are Jeff when I first started, easiest way to get into it is to create a new style and take the images in vBulletin now and redesign them (basically overwrite) and you have your skin ;).

When it comes to stuff like a whole custom skin, it's a whole different story then that would require a more professional approach I would imagine.

Jac

[SOM]

How do you create a new style?

[G.X.Tournaments]

Admin CP > Styles and templates

Theres a little box at the bottom (like a button) "create new style" click that.
Then name it something like "TEST 1" then reload the Admin CP then go to Styles and Templates, one the test skin it should say (in like a drop down menu) "All style options" click the button next to it, scroll down a bit till it has loads of little text box's on the right... Normally saying...

"Images/Statusicon"
"Images/... etc"

Rename all the "images" bit to "Test" then redownload vBulletin.

Once you have redownloaded vbulletine xtract it and go into the "Upload/Images" folder, edit all the images you wish then rename the folder "upload/images" to "upload/Test" and then upload it to your forum dir.

(Normally public_html/forum) and then edit from there :).

Sorry it's brief but uno .

Jac

[SOM]

WOW G.X.Tournaments,

Thanks for the guidance! I will try and figure out what you posted and will either give it a try or hire someone to design my skin, install my skin, & to change my site layout to integrate with my new skin? What are the typical costs to do all of this? What permissions do I have to give to someone to install this onto my site? I need to find someone I can hire to help me when I need hings done to my site!

Thanks,

Jeff

[G.X.Tournaments]

Depending on what you need I could most probably do all that for you (depending how advanced) so let me know ;).

It should be pretty easy. Regarding permissions, all you would need to give them I imagine is FTP and Style/Template perms and that's. But you should watch out as FTP can be the same password as your Control Panel so make sure you trust the designer / Coder.

Regarding finding designers / coders, Forums.Digitalpoint.com / ClanTemplates.com are always good places ;).

Hope this helps some more ;).

EDIT: Regarding costs: Skins (custom) can go from $30-$300 depending ;).

[unenergizer]

EDIT: Regarding costs: Skins (custom) can go from $30-$300 depending ;).

Wow G.X.Tournaments, you are providing a cheap service. Custom designs at my shop are $200 for basic layouts and build up from there. The most expensive design I have created thus far was $790.00 usd. Talk about complex coding and graphics. Although, with these prices, their site ended up looking better than my completegfx.com web site.

[G.X.Tournaments]

Yea, I have seen your site it's sweet. When I say custom I don't go as far as you may think only a few template modifications and a sweet design, I don't 'move' anything (so to speak). Like login boxes etc ;).

Go to styles forum and search DICE and click the BF2 EA DICE style, it's basic stuff like that nothing to complex ;).

Jac

[MaestroX]

Wow G.X.Tournaments, you are providing a cheap service

I was going to say that in another thread where he quoted $25 for a custom skin :p

My custom skins go for around the same price as you unenergizer. People sometimes underestimate the price of custom work as vbulletin is only $130.

[unenergizer]

That style fits it's theme perfectly. Most of the time, thats all anyone every needs. Looks great. I would suggest replacing all of the original vBulletin graphics. I only say this because, the default vBulletin graphics look bland in my eyes. However, it's an all around perfect skin.

[G.X.Tournaments]

My normal price is $40, depending on the mood I guess ;).

Edit: Thanks, yea on my forum (where it was then shown) all the GFX had been changed but where I took the screen shots it was on my 'design' forum where I don't bother so much as buttons and what not ;).

Jac

[unenergizer]

I was going to say that in another thread where he quoted $25 for a custom skin :p

My custom skins go for around the same price as you unenergizer. People sometimes underestimate the price of custom work as vbulletin is only $130.

Exactly. Most people don't realize how much work and effort is put into these custom designs. Although I understand that most people would not know this. Though, if you are wanting something professional, you have to pay the "professional" prices.

[G.X.Tournaments]

Yea that's very true...

[MaestroX]

Indeed :) I couldn't agree more.

[SOM]

Thank you all for the great dialogue. I am one of those people you were talking about that does not understand what goes into designs, skins, etc. You all seem knowledgable so here is the question:

What would be the general cost to design my site's skin/logo and site design that involves moving stuff around?

Thanks,

Jeff

[MaestroX]

In general I would charge from $200 USD for that but I assess each project on a case by case scenerio.

Regards

[Dismounted]

There is no solid "charge", it differs from each designer and each design.

[SOM]

Thank you all. This has helped to guide me on how I want to approach my site. My biggest thoughts/concerns for what I am looking for are:

1) Finding an honest, capable designer, and at the right price to do all the things I need

2) Finding someone I can turn to for projects as I keep evolving my site and someone I can bounce ideas off of. My hope is one day I will be BIG enough to bring the person I am working with in-house to work with me full-time.

Thanks,

Jeff

[MaestroX]

In general its always hard to find someone you can work well with. Your best bet it to ask for a portfolio, ask lots of questions and see what feedback you get from them. If they are helpfull and courteous you know your on the right track. Lately there ha been alot of vBulletin skin sites starting up so there are a wealth of designers out there that can do work for you.

Obviously being in the trade myself, I can offer my services, shoot me a PM if your interested. As for other vBulletin skin sites Brandon has compiled a list over at vbulletin setup.

Hope this helps and wish you the best in your search.